A Pacific Northwest city known for its tech industry, coffee culture, and iconic Space Needle. Surrounded by mountains and water, with a thriving arts scene.
Seattle, the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its Space Needle, grunge music roots, and proximity to mountains and water. You can watch fish-throwing at Pike Place Market, learn about Nirvana and Pearl Jam at the Museum of Pop Culture, or take a ferry across Puget Sound. With Mount Rainier visible on clear days and the waters of Puget Sound nearby, Seattle combines city life with easy access to nature.
Exploring Seattle's Landmarks
The Space Needle stands 520 feet tall, with an observation deck that gives you a 360-degree view of the city and its surroundings. You can take a glass elevator to the top and step onto The Loupe, a rotating glass floor that lets you look straight down to the ground below. At street level, visit Pike Place Market, one of the oldest continuously operated public farmers' markets in the United States. Here, you can see fishmongers toss salmon, taste local produce, and buy handmade crafts from local artisans.
Seattle's Musical Legacy
Seattle played a significant role in the development of grunge music in the 1990s, with bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden originating here. You can learn about this musical history at the Museum of Pop Culture, which has exhibits on local musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain. For live music, go to venues like The Crocodile or Neumos, where you might see up-and-coming bands before they become famous.
Natural Areas Near the City
Seattle is close to several natural areas. You can take a ferry across Puget Sound to visit nearby islands or go hiking in the Cascade Mountains east of the city. On days with good visibility, you can see Mount Rainier, an active volcano, to the southeast. Within Seattle, you can relax at Golden Gardens Park, which has beaches and views of the Olympic Mountains across the sound.
Seattle's Food and Coffee Culture
Seattle is known for its seafood and coffee. You can try local oysters, Dungeness crab, and salmon at restaurants like The Walrus and the Carpenter in the Ballard neighborhood. As the birthplace of Starbucks, Seattle has a strong coffee culture. You can visit the original Starbucks store at Pike Place Market or try independent coffee shops like Victrola Coffee Roasters or Espresso Vivace.
Tech Hub of the Pacific Northwest
Seattle has become an important center for technology companies, with Amazon and Microsoft headquartered in the area. In the South Lake Union neighborhood, you can see Amazon's offices, including their distinctive spherical conservatories. The growth of tech companies has changed many parts of the city, bringing new residents and businesses to previously quiet areas.
Getting Around Seattle
You have several options for moving around Seattle. The Link light rail connects downtown with the airport and several neighborhoods. For a different experience, ride the Seattle Center Monorail, built for the 1962 World's Fair, which travels between downtown and Seattle Center. Seattle also has many bike lanes, and you can use bike-share programs like Lime and Jump for short trips.
